OUR WORK, TOGETHER, WILL NOT ONLY IDENTIFY THE WAY POLICIES CAN HINDER COMMUNITIES FROM IMPROVING BUT EMPOWER THEM TO HAVE A SAY IN THE SERVICES NEEDED TO BETTER THEMSELVES AND THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

I AM MORE

- A PHOTO JOURNAL SERIES - SYRACUSE RESIDENTS WHO DIDN’T LET THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES DETERMINE THEIR FUTURECheck back for continued updates.

Photos by Kathe Harrington

I AM MORE THAN WHAT I WAS BORN INTO.

“Thank God I had great mentors who said, ‘That’s not who you have to become.’ They would keep talking to me and they’d say ‘you’re better than that, you can go to college’. But, I didn’t even understand that concept- how could I go to college? That was normally for rich people.

Amazing to know that we went from eating with roaches and rats in our house to pretty much everyone in our family owning our own home.

That’s why I try to push people to be mentors, because you just never know what you will say to someone that will stick with them and change their life.“

- Maria Maldonado-Lewis,CEO of I Know I Can Radio/TV

I AM MORE THAN A DISPLACED CITIZEN.

“My advice to new refugees is to make your first job the best job, and be patient. You start small and climb the ladder one by one. I worked in housekeeping, I worked as a janitor, did laundry, and in a shipping department. I got this position because I had to go through all those first. I had to use those steps to be where I am today.“

- Haji Adan, Executive Director

I AM MORE THAN MY DISABILITY.

“Just accept me as me. I did not start leaking braincells when I lost my sight. I can still think. I can still do. I can still analyze. I’m still me! Some people think once you lose your sight you’ve got to be treated with kid gloves because suddenly you’re not as smart.I love proving them wrong.“

- Donna Reese, Outreach Specialist

I AM MORE THAN MY RECORD.

“I was pardoned by President Obama last December, after serving over 12 yrs. President Obama gave me something, and I decided I’m gonna give it back to my community- so that’s been my thing. I’ve been focused on helping give people hope because the system classifies you and it’s hard once you’ve been classified. Now, I work for CenterState CEO. If somebody is just coming out of prision and wants to start their own business, I can help with the transition.“

-Dewayne Comer, Advocate

I AM MORE THAN A DOT.

“I was watching a presentation about statics and data and I saw all these dots indicating shots fired in particular neighborhoods, or neighborhoods considered a food desert, etc. Certain streets were consistently clustered with dots. The presenter said those who live in these neighborhoods are statically more at risk for teen pregnancy, more at risk for involvement in a crime. I thought, ‘ I’m one of those dots. I’ve lived in many of those areas.’ It just hit me that if it wasn’t for certain people intervening at key points of my life, then maybe I would have been a statistic. I’m always going to be one of those dots, but I’m not the predicted outcome.“

-Ocesa Keaton, Executive Director

I AM MORE THAN MY JOB STATUS.

“The most difficult part of being unemployed is dealing with your pride and embarrassment. Knowing your worth and constantly having to convince and prove it to others. Some moments you feel so defeated. I got partial assistance while working part time. It enabled me to participate in the Jobs Plus program, and take civil service exams for free. I took advantage of that. Every single test that came up, I took it!“

GREATER SYRACUSE H.O.P.E. is an anti-poverty initiative powered by Governor Cuomo's Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative (ESPRI) working with community partners to create an inclusive future for those battling poverty. We are connecting people and impacting systems to create effective pathways of opportunity.